Experiences and Status-quo of Jatropha Cultivation in Southern Africa D L Kgathi HOORC - University of Botswana Private Bag 285. Maun Botswana Email: dlkgathi@orc.ub.bw Presented at the First COMPETE Workshop, Mauritius, 18 – 21 June, 2007. 1.0 Introduction • Jatropha curcas is an energy crop used for the production of first generation biodiesel. It is a biofuel crop increasingly grown in southern Africa, with Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe being the main growing countries. Biofuels are liquid fuels produced from biomass for transport or burning purposes. The two main types biofuels, ethanol and biodiesel, account for 90% of the total global consumption of biofuels (Dufey, 2006). 1
The interest in producing biofuels in SA driven by the following factors: • concerns about the increasing prices of fossil energy sources (Table 1). • possible depletion of fossil energy sources (Table 2) • concerns about environment including climate change. • Desire to reduce dependence on external energy sources. • Rural development Table 1: The Wheat/Oil Exchange Rate, 1950-2005 Year Bushel Wheat Barrel oil Barrel/Bushel 1950 1.89 1.71 1 1960 1.58 1.85 1 1970 1.49 1.79 1 1975 4.06 11.45 3 1980 4.7 35.71 8 1990 3.69 22.99 6 1995 4.82 17.20 4 2000 3.1 28.23 9 2005 3.9 52.00 13 Source: Brown (2006) 2
Price of bushel of wheat vs barrel of oil 60 50 Barrel/Bushel 40 Bushel Wheat 30 Barrel oil 20 10 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 9 0 0 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 Year Figure 1 Source: Based on Table 1 Table 2: Petroleum Fuel Depletion Period * (Years) Oil 41 Natural gas 64 Coal 155 Source: Goldemberg (2007). Notes: *assuming that the current consumption and production do not change 3
Objectives of the presentation : � Review the characteistics of Jatropha curcas in order to contribute to research and policy � Assess the extent to which Jatropha curcas is being grown in SA and the challenges experienced. � Review economic policies adopted to promote its development 3.0 Study areas and methodology � Semi-arid countries of southern Africa � Literature Review � Stakeholder interviews; through e-mail correspondence . 4
4.0 Socio-economic and Energy Context Table 3: Key indicators of development Country Population Population Gross PPP gross Gross Life 2006 (millions) average national national domestic expectancy HDI 2003 annual income per income per product per at birth ranking increase capita capita capita % 2002 1990-2003 (dollars) (dollars)2003 growth 2003 2002-2003 Angola 13.5 2.8 740 1 890 1.4 47 161 Botswana 1.7 2.3 3 430 7 960 4.0 38 131 Malawi 11.0 2.0 170 600 3.8 38 166 Namibia 2.0 2.8 1 870 6 620 -6.7 42 125 South 45.3 1.9 2 780 10 270 -2.0 46 121 Africa Zambia 10.4 2.2 380 850 3.5 37 165 Zimbabwe 13.1 1.9 480 2 180 -6.7 39 151 Source: World Bank (2005); UNDP (2006). Table 4: Total Energy and Carbon Dioxide Emissions 2003 Country Total Energy Total Energy Net Energy Carbon Dioxide Consumption, Production, Exports, Emissions (million (Quadrillion (Quadrillion Btu) (Quadrillion metric tons of CO2) Btu) Btu) Angola 0.135 1.0960 1.825 4.34 Botswana 0.052 0.023 -0.029 1.04 Lesotho 0.007 0.004 -0.003 0.06 Malawi 0.025 0.013 -0.021 0.22 Namibia 0.051 0.015 -0.036 0.63 South Africa 4.901 5.916 1.015 112.16 Zambia 0.108 0.090 -0.018 0.61 Zimbabwe 0.189 0.136 -0.053 3.01 Total 5.468 7.293 0.65 122.07 SADC Total 5.902 8.476 2.574 125.98 Source: Wakeford (2006). 5
5.0 Policies for Biofuels • In southern Africa, some countries have already drafted policies for biofuels development, while others have started reviewing their energy policies. • In South Africa, a strategy for biofuels had already been drafted by the end of 2006. • Biofuels are among the renewable energy sources being promoted to meet energy supply target of 10 000 GWh by 2013 (Wienesse and Purchase, 2006). These fuels are expected to account for 4.5% of the total consumption of liquid fuels by 2013. Policies for Biofuels (cont.) � To achieve this target, incentives have been introduced to increase the production of biofuels (Republic of South Africa, 2006). � In other southern African countries, there is an increasing interest in the growing of energy plants and strategies for biofuel production have either been developed or are being developed. 6
6.0 Potential and Status: Energy crops � Countries with largest potential of biofuel production: Angola, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. � Angola is a large country with a small proportion of its land currently being used for agriculture. - The country is estimated to have 69 million ha of land available in 2050 for energy production with the potential to provide 5.945 Ej of energy per year, equivalent to 974.6 million barrels of oil. � Zambia is endowed with land and water resources. Of the 60 million ha of potential arable land; only 9 million (15%) is cultivated (Hoffman 2006). � In Botswana and Namibia shortage of water is a major constraint. Potential and Status: Energy crops (cont.) � In South Africa, only 14% of the land is available; 10% is irrigated and uses 60% of total water consumption (Republic of South Africa, 2006). � 3 million ha of land in homelands underutilized. If 1 million ha of this is utilized it could produce diesel accounting for 5% of national diesel usage (Republic of South Africa, 2006). � A recent study identified the following energy crops for biofuel production in the SADC region: 7
Table 5: Energy crops recommended by the SADC study on biofuels . Rank Reasons Energy Crop • already grown in the region for ethanol production Sugarcane 1 • generates a lot of employment • produced from a bye product of sugar, hence there a double benefit • foreign exchange benefit • same reasons as sugarcane Soya beans 2 • expanded use for biodiesel can be achieved in one season • scores high for biodiesel production • Scores high for biodiesel Oil Palm 3 • Ranked fourth because not widely grown in the region Sunflower 4 • Ranks low because not yet commercially grown Sweet Sorghum 5 • Not yet commercially grown Jatropha 6 Source: Takavasha et. al (2005). Summary of Table 5 � Some of these crops are not widely grown in the region. � there is evidence that some of them have a great potential of being grown as energy crops. � Great potential for growing Jatropha curcas in the region. 8
7.0 Jatropha curcas and policies on biodiesel production 7.1 Characteristics of the plant (General). � Jatropha curcas is native to South America, but widely grown in Central America, Africa and Asia. � Drought and pest resistant � Not eaten by animals (protects cropland from animals). � Cultivated by simple technology 7.1 Characteristics of the plant (cont.) � Yield of the seeds harvested varies from 0.5 to 12 tonnes/ha/year (soil, nutrient and rainfall conditions) (Francis et al., 2005). � Different from other first generation energy crops; � Unlike other feedstocks, it is not a source of food or animal feed � Lifetime of over 30 years; and seed production of three times/year (Eijck and Romijn, 2007; Francis et al., 2005). � Can be grown on marginal land; in areas not suitable for other crops. 9
Figure 2: Jatropha production chain Source: Eijck and Romijn (2006) 7.2 Characteristics of the plant (Health related) • Leaves and nuts toxic (contain Phorbol esters and curcin),(non-toxic variety in Mexico and Central America). Although purgative the nuts are sometimes eaten (Benge, 2006). • Seed is medicine for skin diseases and rheumatic pain 10
7.3 Characteristics of the plant (Benefits) � Used for diesel production (second highest in oil content), medicine, and � manufacture of soap (made from by-product of glycerin and oil). � Seed is medicine for skin diseases and rheumatic pain � Oil is a pesticide 7.4 Characteristics of the plant (Environmental) � Noxious weed in Australia and classified as weed in other countries (e.g. Brazil, India, Jamaica and Salvador) (Benge, 2006). � Opinion is varied on the potential for invasiveness. Most studies reveal that the potential is low (particularly under controlled management) and the threat to biodiversity is even lower. People are the main agents of dispersal. • “Well to wheel” reductions in greenhouse gases of jatropha biodiesel in SA not known; but commentators think they may be larger. • Jatropha, as a perennial crop, has higher energy content as compared to annual and biannual crops. 11
7.4 Jatropha Plantations and Policies for Biodiesel Production � 7.4.1 South Africa � South Africa highly dependent on fossil fuels; contributed 1.4% of global CO2 in 1998. Energy efficiency strategy now adopted. � In South Africa, a biodiesel fuel levy exemption of 30% was approved from 2003; and increased to 40% in 2005. � Other incentives introduced e.g. (tax depreciation write-off of 50:40:20 per cent over a three year period equivalent to a support of $ 2/bbl.). � South Africa Cont… � No mature crops, but sunflower and soya being grown for food production. � There is interest to grow Jatropha curcas in Kwa-Zulu Natal and North West Province. In the North West Province, a 400 million tree nursery was being considered for Jatropha plantation (45 000 ha) in 2004. � However, commercial production of Jatropha banned in South Africa � Environmentalists cautious about the potential for invasiveness. . 12
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